BIDRI METAL CRAFT

The Bidri craftsman use fine inlay of silver on blackened alloy of zinc and copper. The metal craft originated between the 13th and 15th centuries under Bahamani Sultans. This craft is widely practiced in Hyderabad.

Each step in the art of making Bidri is an art in itself. Historically, among the popular bidri crafts were in forms like water jug and basins, spherical belly hookahs, vases, urns, spittoons and perfume containers but today we see its contemporized version features like cufflinks, name plates and jewelry boxes. Dr M.A. Nayeem in his book "The Heritage of the Bahamis & Biridis of the Deccan" describes the history and the art of making bidri metal craft.

The art of encrusting one metal on another in the form of wire came from the original tradition at Damascus Syria. The tradition travelled to Deccan during fifteenth century with the migration of one expert craftsman Abdullah Bin Kaiser who travelled Khawaja Mohiuddin Chisti from Iraq/Iran to Ajmer. After few years Abdullah Migrated to Bijapur, which was then the provincial town of Bahamani Kingdom and began trade.

Dr. Nayeem writes in his book that these beautiful gifts were presented to Sultan Abdullah Alaudin Ahmed II (1436-1458) on his coronation. The Sultan was fascinated with the sparkle of the silver design against the contrasting black background. The craftsman Abdullah was invited to settle in Bidar, which was the capital of Bahamis. But it was Mahmud Shah Bahmani, the son and successor of Abdulllah who took interest in this art and flourished it.

The Bidri was part of the collection of princes and aristocrats as noted in writing of 1885 in which the Kings of Bidar used during religious rituals. The Russian traveler Althanasius Nikitin who visited Bidar during 1470-74 took several Bidri ware craft for presentation to the Russian Emperor.

The basic material of Bidri ware is an alloy of metals composed of zinc 83.5 percent, lead 3percent. The process is divided in stages; the mould making, the smelting and the inlaying. The constituents are melted and poured into a mould of blackened clay; which are broken when the metal is cooled and the shapes have solidified. The surface is then smothered and rubbed black with a solution of sal-ammoniac and salpeter. Ornamental designs are then delicately etched or incise on the black surface with a sharp pointed instrument of steel and clipped of deftly to receive the silver inlay. Then with a hammer and punch, fill the cavities with small foils or plate of silver or gold. This makes the luster of the inlay stand out.

Bidri ware is delicate but does not rust. This art, Bidri will continue to be — and will always be — made beautifully, thoughtfully, and locally in Hyderabad.